So here we are, a year away from significant change in the Big East, with a group of current head coaches as strong as any in recent years.

More than half of the Big East coaches are prime candidates to move into bigger BCS jobs in the near future, including Cincinnati’s Butch Jones – who continues to follow the career path of Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly with success at Central Michigan and UC.

Get a good look at this group, everyone. This time next year – with the addition of new teams and coaches, and with coaches on the move – it won’t look anything like it does now.

Today, the Sporting News series ranking of all 124 FBS coaches by conference continues with the Big East. The series will conclude with our overall 1-124 list.

On with the Big East rankings:

1. Butch Jones, Cincinnati

Age: 44

2011 record: 10-3, 5-2

At Cincinnati (2 years): 14-11
FBS career (5 years): 41-24

Jones cleaned house in Year 1, dealt with significant injuries and had some wondering about him after a three-win debut. Now look: 10 wins in 2011 from a team that probably shouldn’t have reached that high. Next problem for UC: keeping Jones.

“If you’re just looking at the surface, you see him winning with what Brian Kelly built. Don’t believe that garbage. He can coach. He was one of those guys a few years ago where you just knew big things were coming his way. He’s not done, either. Not by a longshot.” — NFL scout

Trending: Rising. Won at CMU, won at Cincy. Another big season should lead to a big BCS job (hello, Tennessee).

2. Charlie Strong, Louisville

Age: 51

2011 record: 7-6, 5-2

At Louisville (2 years): 14-12

FBS career (3 years): 14-13

It took a while, but Strong finally got his first coaching job and has quickly changed the culture at Louisville. He’s a strong recruiter unafraid of making tough decisions (see: firing offensive coordinator Mike Sanford in midseason).

“He worked a long time for this. Should have had the Cal job a decade ago. I’m really happy he’s getting the chance now to show what he can do. A terrific coach, and a good man.” — BCS coach

Trending: Rising.

3. Skip Holtz, USF

Age: 48

2011 record: 5-7, 1-6

At USF (2 years): 13-12

FBS career (7 years): 38-27

Last year’s step back was difficult, especially the way it happened: losing seven of the final eight games, and four by a combined 12 points. That’s what makes 2012 critical for Holtz. Was 2011 an anomaly or a trend?

“I like Skip a lot, but here’s where you find out what he’s all about. He was at UConn, it was his deal. He was at ECU, he cleaned up a mess and it was his deal. Now at USF, he walked into another mess, but there are players there. He probably has top-two talent in the league. They need to perform like it. I think they will this season.” — NFL scout

Trending: Holding steady.

4. Paul Pasqualoni, UConn

Age: 62

2011 record: 6-6, 3-4

At UConn (1 year): 6-6

FBS career (15 years): 112-66-1

He returned to the college game last year after serving as a position coach in the NFL. This is still the same coach who had significant success at Syracuse before it unraveled late in his career.

Trending: Holding steady.

5. Steve Addazio, Temple

Age: 52

2011 record: 9-4 (5-3 MAC)

At Temple (1 season): 9-4

FBS career (1 season): 9-4

Al Golden saved the gutted program, and had it in position to succeed. Don’t underestimate the importance of taking over and maintaining — and in some cases, increasing — momentum. Addazio is a proven recruiter, and last year he proved he could get 100 new faces to buy into his philosophy. A strong start in Year 1.

Trending: Rising.

6. Paul Chryst, Pittsburgh

Age: 46

2011: Wisconsin offensive coordinator.

FBS career: first head coaching job.

Chryst was a hot head coaching candidate the last few years, but didn’t jump at the first few schools that offered. The unexpected (Todd Graham leaving for Arizona State) left a prime job available — a job where the only way to go is up.

Trending: Rising.

7. Kyle Flood, Rutgers

Age: 41

2011: Rutgers offensive line coach.

FBS career: first head coaching job.

The big myth in the Flood hire is that Rutgers did so to save a big recruiting class. Nothing could be further from the truth. You don’t hand over a program to a coach to save 25 players and one season when the wrong hire could have ramifications for years to come. Flood was a key member of Greg Schiano’s staff, and earned his chance at the head coaching job.

Trending: Holding steady.

8. Doug Marrone, Syracuse

Age: 47

2011: 5-7

At Syracuse (3 years): 17-20

FBS career (3 years): 17-20

Look what he walked into. He followed a guy (Greg Robinson) who was an utter catastrophe, upgraded and hit another rough spot last fall. He can obviously recruit; can he develop players?